Malaysia’s government extends visa-free travel to Indians for one year

Malaysia has scrapped the visa requirement for Indians travelling for leisure and business for one year, beginning December 1. According to reliable sources, the tourism ministry has confirmed that the visa-free entry will continue until Dec 2024.
With this, Malaysia is expected to witness an increase of 30%-45% in the annual inbound tourists arrival from India.Indian-origin travel operators in Malaysia are expecting tourist arrivals from India to even surpass the prepandemic figure of 7,35,309 Indian tourists in 2019. “One of the main surges will be seen in the MICE (Meeting & Incentive Conference, Exhibition) sector, as Malaysia is seen as both strategic and affordable venue for business forays into the Asean region,” A Aruldass, president of the Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association, said.

This new system of no visa, superseding the previous provisions of e-entry and visa-on-arrival if visitors entered from Singapore, will enhance incentive and corporate travels, besides family travel and series tours, he added.
The visa exemption includes a stay of 30 days for each entry and one can make as many trips one wishes to. The passport validity of six months, confirmed return flights, proof of finance and hotel accommodation are the only mandatory features of travel. Until June this year, Malaysia recorded 2,83,885 visitors from India.